Funderburk: "It Comes From Hard Work"
NC State sophomore forward D.J. Funderburk met with the media to discuss the upcoming ACC road game at Louisville.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview. A transcript of the interview is below.
How much has adding the three-point shot increased your efficiency?
I think it comes from hard work. I’ve always been shooting threes but I’m now having confidence and it shows in the game.
Do you feed off the crowd?
Most definitely. When I come in the game I can hear the crowd cheering which is always a good feeling, but at the end of the day the crowd factor isn’t something I play for.
When the coach calls my name I try to go in there and give it everything I’ve got.
How much have you adjusted to playing more true center?
I’m pretty sure a lot of people can see I’m playing out of position, but whatever I can do to help the team win, I’m fine. I’ll do whatever I can do.
Thoughts on the Wolfpack system vs. other places he’s played.
I may have a little more freedom to do things on my own, but at this high level and caliber of opponents and how we play in this system, everything he does is for a purpose.
Is Louisville close enough for people back home to come to the game?
I’m not sure. I don’t know if anyone will be at the game. I’m not sure.
What does drive you and motivate you?
Besides my family, my teammates. We just all have a great bond and try to come together and complete one goal at the end of the game.
How would you describe your year at Ohio State?
It was a learning lesson. I took a few things from it and just tried to apply it to my life now. That’s all there really is to it.
He was fired and you left?
I don’t know the situation for why he left but I ended up at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida.
Were you healthy last year?
Yes, I played every game.
I ask you these questions because your rebounding numbers were not very good at NW Florida.
If you look at the film we were making a lot of shots. We were making a lot of shots.
What did you learn at Ohio State?
Just being a freshman looking up to some of the older guys, take some of their traits, and bring it to this team.
Was it tough to have to redshirt at Ohio State?
Yeah, first game I didn’t play and the second game about an hour before he came to me and said, “We have some great players and you’re a great piece but we want you to redshirt. What do you think about that?”
He just asked me and I said, “Whatever you think the best decision is for my future, I’ll run with it.”
You now have three years at NC State because of it.
Yeah, I respect him for that. Instead of not redshirting me and playing two minutes a game, he redshirted me and it helped my future.
Does this mean the ACC is easier than this random junior college league because you can rebound better?
Not at all. Definitely not at all. The ACC is the premier top league, in my opinion, in D1 basketball.
I’m just trying to do everything I can to help my team win.